Ukrainian veterans’ inspiring Bosphorus swim on Independence Day, in pictures

Ukrainian warfare veteran Pavlo Tovstyk removes his prosthesis in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, as he prepares to coach for an upcoming 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian warfare veterans Oleksandr Dashko, from left, Oleh Tserkovnyi and Pavlo Tovstyk, put together to compete in a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, from the Asian aspect to the European aspect, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Pavlo Tovstyk jumps in a pool in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, throughout a coaching session to compete in a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Competitors leap into the water at first of a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, from the Asian aspect to the European aspect, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Ukrainian warfare veterans Pavlo Tovstyk, left, and Oleh Tserkovnyi, smile after finishing a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, from the Asian aspect to the European aspect, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Oleksandr Dashko trains in a pool for an upcoming 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Pavlo Tovstyk reacts on the end line after finishing a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, from the Asian aspect to the European aspect, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Pavlo Tovstyk trains in a pool in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, throughout a coaching session to compete in a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strai. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Oleksandr Dashko crosses the end line throughout a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, from the Asian aspect to the European aspect, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Participants compete in a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, from the Asian aspect to the European aspect, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Pavlo Tovstyk rests throughout a coaching for a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Oleh Tserkovnyi trains in a pool in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, for the upcoming 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Coach Roman Korol, heart, instructs Ukrainian warfare veteran Oleksandr Dashko, proper, at a pool in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, throughout a coaching session for the upcoming 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ukrainian warfare veteran Pavlo Tovstyk dons a medal for his participation in a 6.5km swimming race throughout the Bosporus Strait, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)